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The 10 Dishes In Manchester That Will Completely Confound Your Expectations

1. The Blackpool Tower Burger - The Shack

I love fish and chips. It's in my blood (I'm from Grimsby fishing town. Yes, the place from the Sacha Baron Cohen film and yes, I'm a little embarrassed about it.)

So when I saw the option of beer-battered fish, chips and mushy peas IN a burger - I naturally had to give it a whirl. Now, I fancy myself as a bit of a fish connoisseur, it's haddock over cod any day for me (which any true Grimbarian will understand) but after spending a few years in the South and accepting both that cod's the norm and not everyone knows what a 'scrap' is (glorious fatty bits of batter that you can sprinkle on your chips) I've learned to be more open-minded.

The Shack's so-called 'Blackpool Tower' burger did not disappoint (though I'll confess to having a few drinks before and being so damn hungry I could have eaten a whale.)

Speaking of which - the size of the thing! More aptly named 'Shamu' - I had to dissect it before I could fit it into my mouth. But after a few glorious gobfuls, was happy to note the fish was nicely battered (not too excessive, not too stingy) and the chunky chips cooked well. Decent beer, inventive food and cocktails (their pot noodle burger beggard belief) and reasonable prices - I'd recommend The Shack to anyone looking for a chilled place to spend a Saturday or weekday evening grabbing a bite with friends or playing a bit of beer pong.

There's a long list of words we could use to describe the pot noodle burger.

Situated in the Northern Quarter, The Shack is open every day until late and you can check out their latest news on Twitter and Instagram.

2. Sage and Onion Daiquiri - Arcane

Who doesn't love a good daiquiri? I prefer mine frozen, but like I said, I'm learning to be open-minded.

Flummoxed by the refreshingly unconventional menu, I asked Arcane's own Andy (the cheeky chappy featured below) for some advice. A sweetie-pie at heart, I decided to be bold and change things up with the (still surprisingly sweet) Sage and Onion Daiquiri. Yep, turns out Roast Dinners aren't just for Sundays.

Arcane are changing the name of the game with their bizarre specials.

This one combines Diplomatico Anejo Rum, home-made sage and onion sugar and a dash of lime for good measure. It’s not for everyone – the tunnels and bridges visitor to Manchester might not even stumble upon this speakeasy-style cocktail cellar. But I bloody loved it.

A tad on the pricier side at £8.50 per cocktail, Arcane is worth it for the quality home-made ingredients and definitely one for a special occasion or a dimly-lit romantic date-night with a difference.

3. The Lay-Away - Dusk Til Pawn

Under-rated next to the glorified 'Pawn Star Martini', the Lay-Away sees the classic British Rhubarb and Custard dessert get a positively pawn-ographic makeover. Served with a side shot of frozen house-made custard, it is truly orgasmic and gives any plain old Screaming Orgasm cocktail a run for its money.

If you're feeling uber-adventurous, give Dusk Til Pawn's take on the classic Old Fashioned a go. The secret ingredient? Pepperoni!

Dusk Til Pawn is open 4pm - 1am daily (3am close Friday and Saturday) and is hands down one of the coolest bars in the Northern Quarter.

Styled like an old-fashioned pawn shop, the former fortune-teller's den is concealed on a kooky row of similarly vintage looking bars and eateries.

4. The Donut Burger - Red's True Barbecue

The dirty porker is served with a side of frickles (that's fried pickles, to me and you.)

Quite frankly I wasn't sure whether to be revolted or impressed, but once I'd cast aside thoughts of early diabetes and put my green-eating morals on snooze (for all of the 10 minutes it took me to devour the beast) I tucked in and felt like I was in childhood paradise.

6. Reese's Monkey Split - Black Milk Cereal Cafe, Afflecks

Defying all laws of food gravity, Affleck's Black Milk dive is Manchester's first cereal cafe, serving up edible chocolate bowls full of Canadian, American and British cereal, specialist milks and all manner of Freakshakes that you'd better get your hiking gear on for - because you'll be climbing 'em rather than eating them.

The humble folks of Northern Soul have been flipping their hearts out to make the small pop-up style venture a success, and with the local public already truly smitten, looks like they're going to be the next big cheese.

Open Monday - Wednesday 11-8pm, Thursday - Saturday 11-9pm and Sunday 11-6pm you HAVE to try their 'Pig On A Lead'- with 'mac attack' special macaroni cheese, 9-hour BBQ pulled pork and the option to add a sausage patty for an extra £1.50 (rude not to) I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven (cheesy I know.)

8. Pearl Frozen Yoghurt - Chatime

Chinatown's Chatime have just introduced a gluten-free, low-fat frozen yoghurt to their menu, combining it with the tapioca pearls (jelly-like, pea-sized balls made from the starch extracted from cassava root) which are traditionally found in bobo or 'bubble tea' - a sweet 'health' drink that typically marries flavoured tea or milk and sugar - incidentally Chatime's signature special